Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Murder at the Blarney Bash (Beacon Bakeshop, Bk 5) on + 748 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
Beacon Harbor is going all out for St. Patrick's Day. Lindsey Bakewell and her staff are pulling out all the stops filling the shelves at the Beacon Bakeshop but also making Guinness chocolate cupcakes with Bailey's buttercream frosting, shamrock cupcakes and cookies, creme de menthe brownies, and a Bailey's cheesecake for the grand opening of the Irish import gift shop and the Blarney Stone micropub. The new businesses are owned by Finnigan O'Connor, uncle of Lindsey's boyfriend Rory who has moved to town straight from the Emerald Isle.
The celebration starts out with the annual grade school Leprechaun Parade with Uncle Finn, his daughter Colleen, and their gorgeous dog Bailey leading the way. Every student marching in the parade receives a free shamrock good luck charm from the Blarney Stone.
Uncle Finn is quite the storyteller, most get grander with each telling. The latest is that he stole a pot of gold from a real leprechaun on his way home. Not sure what to believe Rory and Lindsey know there is more to the story. Bad luck comes when a small man dressed like a leprechaun is killed, beaten to death with a shillelagh, that appears to belong to Uncle Finn. He is taken into custody and while he may have tricked the leprechaun out of his gold, he never would have killed him. Lindsey will need all the good luck she can get to bring the killer to justice and free Finn.
I am loving this series. In this 5th installment, it's about St Patrick's Day and all things Irish. With an Irish grandfather, I have a wee bit of the Irish in me so this story delighted me.
Lindsey and Rory's relationship is growing so naturally. Tuck is a little broken-hearted because Kennedy left town, but she is back and she didn't come alone. The staff at the Beacon Bakeshop are working together like a well-oiled machine and Lindsey knows she can count on them. Her parents leave Beacon Harbor for the colder months and are spending two weeks in Maui, but the local gossip mill works fine. They sometimes find out what's going on before Lindsey. I was happy to see some of Rory's relatives come to town. The introduction of Finn and Colleen gave the character of Rory more depth. All the core characters continue to develop and are always engaging. I was happy to see Kennedy back but she tested my patience a time or two. I am so excited to see Lindsey's Newfoundland, Wellington has a new friend in Finn and Colleen's Great Pyrenees Bailey.
This story is so well-plotted and executed. Finding the right connections between the victims and the suspects. Lindsey went above and beyond to follow the clues and find key pieces of evidence to move the investigation forward. Thinking she had it figured out but no, there was another twist. The pressure to move when time was of the essence. The scene witnessed followed the fabulous team takedown with a fantastic assist which was then followed by a funny situation while waiting for the killer to be taken away. This was all perfectly paced and my eyes were glued to the pages.
I love the detailed descriptions Ms. Hannah gave throughout the story. Truthfully with the lighthouse having a resident ghost, a leprechaun running around town peeking in windows, and hiding pots of gold was a true possibility. We learn in the acknowledgments that the author's son gave her the inspiration for this story. Like his mother, he must have a keen imagination. It is what makes her stories so much fun to read.
Trust me, you will be craving St. Patrick's Day treats. There are 5 tempting recipes following the story.
Murder at the Blarney Bash has extraordinary characters taking on a perplexing mystery with a side of leprechaun lore and a bunch of Blarney. I escaped right into the pages and was completely entertained. Next up Murder at the Lemonberry Tea. It has a November 26, 2024 release date.
Beacon Harbor is going all out for St. Patrick's Day. Lindsey Bakewell and her staff are pulling out all the stops filling the shelves at the Beacon Bakeshop but also making Guinness chocolate cupcakes with Bailey's buttercream frosting, shamrock cupcakes and cookies, creme de menthe brownies, and a Bailey's cheesecake for the grand opening of the Irish import gift shop and the Blarney Stone micropub. The new businesses are owned by Finnigan O'Connor, uncle of Lindsey's boyfriend Rory who has moved to town straight from the Emerald Isle.
The celebration starts out with the annual grade school Leprechaun Parade with Uncle Finn, his daughter Colleen, and their gorgeous dog Bailey leading the way. Every student marching in the parade receives a free shamrock good luck charm from the Blarney Stone.
Uncle Finn is quite the storyteller, most get grander with each telling. The latest is that he stole a pot of gold from a real leprechaun on his way home. Not sure what to believe Rory and Lindsey know there is more to the story. Bad luck comes when a small man dressed like a leprechaun is killed, beaten to death with a shillelagh, that appears to belong to Uncle Finn. He is taken into custody and while he may have tricked the leprechaun out of his gold, he never would have killed him. Lindsey will need all the good luck she can get to bring the killer to justice and free Finn.
I am loving this series. In this 5th installment, it's about St Patrick's Day and all things Irish. With an Irish grandfather, I have a wee bit of the Irish in me so this story delighted me.
Lindsey and Rory's relationship is growing so naturally. Tuck is a little broken-hearted because Kennedy left town, but she is back and she didn't come alone. The staff at the Beacon Bakeshop are working together like a well-oiled machine and Lindsey knows she can count on them. Her parents leave Beacon Harbor for the colder months and are spending two weeks in Maui, but the local gossip mill works fine. They sometimes find out what's going on before Lindsey. I was happy to see some of Rory's relatives come to town. The introduction of Finn and Colleen gave the character of Rory more depth. All the core characters continue to develop and are always engaging. I was happy to see Kennedy back but she tested my patience a time or two. I am so excited to see Lindsey's Newfoundland, Wellington has a new friend in Finn and Colleen's Great Pyrenees Bailey.
This story is so well-plotted and executed. Finding the right connections between the victims and the suspects. Lindsey went above and beyond to follow the clues and find key pieces of evidence to move the investigation forward. Thinking she had it figured out but no, there was another twist. The pressure to move when time was of the essence. The scene witnessed followed the fabulous team takedown with a fantastic assist which was then followed by a funny situation while waiting for the killer to be taken away. This was all perfectly paced and my eyes were glued to the pages.
I love the detailed descriptions Ms. Hannah gave throughout the story. Truthfully with the lighthouse having a resident ghost, a leprechaun running around town peeking in windows, and hiding pots of gold was a true possibility. We learn in the acknowledgments that the author's son gave her the inspiration for this story. Like his mother, he must have a keen imagination. It is what makes her stories so much fun to read.
Trust me, you will be craving St. Patrick's Day treats. There are 5 tempting recipes following the story.
Murder at the Blarney Bash has extraordinary characters taking on a perplexing mystery with a side of leprechaun lore and a bunch of Blarney. I escaped right into the pages and was completely entertained. Next up Murder at the Lemonberry Tea. It has a November 26, 2024 release date.
